[Boston—Tuesday, 9 June 1874]
Tuesday 9th Dickens’s death day, sent flowers to two Holly Trees & to Boffin’s Bower. Went to hear Mr. Curtis pronounce the last eulogy upon Sumner. It was a glorious occasion. Whittier’s poem written for the occasion was read for him, Miss Kellogg & Miss Phillips sang, also a chorus of men’s voices. The oration itself two hours & a half long was full of beauty, sweetness and truth.
I was very tired and everybody else I believe long before it ended. Longfellow walked up the street with us. He admired as all must have done the finish & earnestness of Mr. Curtis’s work. His power is not deep & wide as Carl Schurz’s but “Sermon Three” and [“]came to die” Mr. Curtis will stand with anybody.
Summer weather of the greatest beauty reigns. Our own place is lovely as a paradise and we do not wish nor need to go away.
